Being the good owner that I am---I took the Ram to a shop for its oil change. I've had LOF done there before with no issues. This time, they said that the rear differential gear oil was "dark," and that the brake fluid needed changing. The truck has just over 26,000 miles, and about half of that was towing a trailer or fifth wheel.I'm not a mechanic, but I've never had to do either of these things. In fact, I don't recall anyone I know changing these fluids except when disassembling their vehicle. Has this shop turned into a "stealership?"Your thoughts please.

What does your owners manual say about it?

Both the above questions are applicable. Diff fluid usually has a much longer life, closer to 100k miles. Brake fluid should be changed out every 3 years or so. But, when in doubt, follow the owners manual.

Changing brake fluid? LOL.Esepcially so at 26K miles.I've had 3 trucks since the mid 90s I took to over 200K and never changed brake fluid. What a waste.Well on one the brake fluid was changed at about 240K when I replaced all the brake lines due to road salt corrosion but the only new fluid ever put in was topping off after replacing pads / shoes.I vote they are reaching into your pocket seeing what they can grab.I would also guess RAM is using synthetic fluid in the diff? 26K miles? LOL.But then again you have a lot of people on RV or truck boards who take fluids and when to change them to the point of anality. Send the brake fluid and gear oil off to some lab somewhere for analization and piss away some more money.

Follow the maintenance schedule in the manual.

Dark differential lube | Good Sam Community

Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 09, 2018
Ron3rd wrote:
The best one they've come up lately is "cleaning and adjusting" your disc brakes for $129.00. Funny thing is I never new disc brakes had an "adjustment" after replacing them for 30 years.

If they were actually removing the calipers and cleaning the piston surfaces and slide rods, they may need to "adjust" the piston back in to the caliper to reinstall the pads. I doubt they do that, but that would be my only thought. There is the parking brake adjustment...
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 09, 2018
This is my report with my first rear diff change. Yes over miles but IMHO not a QUALITY GL.

The GL was toast!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 09, 2018
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Glacier D wrote:
My 2011 Ram 3500 maintenance schedule for the rear diff. is every 15,000 miles. Had that done at a local garage and added Amsoil 75-110 Severe Gear Lube and Magtec differential cover with sight glass from Geno's Garage. Problem solved!

Good call!

The 15k is if towing/severe duty service. I mis read mine I looked at the 24k kilometers. At 20k towing combined 33k when taking off from a stop I experienced grabbing when turning. That was at 20k. I drained and had fluid analyzed it was completely shot!!! at about 24k.

Since that first change I run AMZ/OIL 75-110. I just change it at 15k along with my transfer case, fuel filters, air filter and oil/filter. Could I run it longer, YES but it's cheap and easy do do all my maintenance at one time.

Bottom line the quality of the OE lube is NOT very good.

15k? So like every oil change? (Or every 5 oil changes based on your OOCI tendencies)You guys are off your flipping rockers.... no other explanation.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Nov 09, 2018
spoon059 wrote:
A couple years ago I changed the brake pads on my old truck, so I changed the fluid on my wife's car at the same time. Took her car in for her "free" service at the dealer a week later. They called her and told her that her cabin air filter was filthy and needed changing and her brake fluid was burnt and needed changing. Couple hundred dollars worth of service costs.

Well... fluid was brand new, so I knew that was bunk. The cabin air filter requires the removal of her glovebox, which was full of stuff and they obviously didn't remove to check.

I don't trust them to do anything other than follow the manufacturers maintenance schedule. Even then, I don't really trust them, but if they screw it up, they are the one's fixing it under warranty anyways. Anything that the DEALER recommends is pure profit.

Local Chevy stealership does the same thing; The $79 cabin air filter (about $10 if you do it yourself) is a favorite with them. The best one they've come up lately is "cleaning and adjusting" your disc brakes for $129.00. Funny thing is I never new disc brakes had an "adjustment" after replacing them for 30 years.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 09, 2018
larry barnhart wrote:
I have changed our rear end fluid 10 times. Very easy job.

chevman

In the same truck?
This is akin to the guy above who “excercises” every caliper piston throughout its travel range annually!
You all need new hobbies! Come to my house, I have some maintenance that actually needs to be done....
Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 09, 2018
Just to muddy this further: Remember that GM and Ram both use the AAM rear axle in their pickups.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2018
So now I am wondering if you could put some of that stuff in the Ram diffy's that Ford and GM does aand then not have to change it every time you drive down to the grocery store. It puzzles me.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 09, 2018
Glacier D wrote:
My 2011 Ram 3500 maintenance schedule for the rear diff. is every 15,000 miles. Had that done at a local garage and added Amsoil 75-110 Severe Gear Lube and Magtec differential cover with sight glass from Geno's Garage. Problem solved!

Good call!

The 15k is if towing/severe duty service. I mis read mine I looked at the 24k kilometers. At 20k towing combined 33k when taking off from a stop I experienced grabbing when turning. That was at 20k. I drained and had fluid analyzed it was completely shot!!! at about 24k.

Since that first change I run AMZ/OIL 75-110. I just change it at 15k along with my transfer case, fuel filters, air filter and oil/filter. Could I run it longer, YES but it's cheap and easy do do all my maintenance at one time.

Bottom line the quality of the OE lube is NOT very good.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Nov 09, 2018
I always change my differential oil early, to get the filings out after the gears wear in, and change the brake fluid about every 3 to 5 years based on mileage.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2018
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Nice to see most commenters have NO clue as to the frequency the GL needs to be changed on a RAM HD truck.

The Op actually went over the recommended interval.

You are correct, recommended at 20K. Ram must have no faith in their differentials or the fluid they spec LOL. Ford does not recommend changing either the front or rear until 150K miles, and GM does not even mention changing it in their schedules.